The Roommate Roulette

Chapter 2

Radhika

"You are such a coward, Radhika," Akash says with frustration. He pulls at the hair at the back of his head, he does that when he's angry or frustrated.

"I agree, but I am leaving Akash. When I get back after completing my master's degree I hope this mess will all be sorted out," I say to him with a sad smile.

"I will miss you," he pulls me into a hug and kisses the top of my head.

"Hey, don't lie, you won't even have time to think about me when your boyfriend is around," I tease him

"True that," he laughs.

The ringing of my phone jolts me awake from the memories of my conversation at the airport before leaving India. I looked at the caller ID, Luna Hernandez, my uncle's friend and also the owner of this apartment. She's a friendly woman but wouldn't bother with sugarcoating things. When my uncle introduced me to her I was so glad, she agreed to my conditions too. Who does that? Without my uncle and her, I would have felt lost in this new place. But they are making my annoying life somewhat tolerable enough to live without having to worry about falling for fraudulent realtors.

"Hey, Luna," I greet her cheerfully having no clue about the bomb she's about to drop.

"Hey Radhika, hope you are all settled in. Is the apartment good?"

"It's amazing, thank you so much for giving me this place"

"Anything for you cariño. So I have something ask to you. I know I am going back on my words but, I didn't have a choice"

I already didn't like the sound of this.

"Sure, Luna. What is it?"

"Is it okay if my nephew and his boyfriend stay there with you?"

Men? What the fuck? That was my first thought. Wait a minute, did she say 'his boyfriend'?

"Your nephew is gay?"

"Yeah, don't tell me you are a homophobe", I could hear the defensiveness in her tone.

"Oh no, not at all. The guy I dated came out to me first. Because he knew I would understand. I am not a homophobe Luna," I say quickly. Yeah, that was a confusing time for me. Akash and I dated, mostly because our families knew each other and it was expected from us. I had no interest in dating but Akash was a good guy. That's why, when he said he liked someone else, it hurt a bit. But after some time I helped him come out to his family and supported him as a good friend. Now he and his boyfriend, Rithesh, are moving in together. They are such a vibe; they'll always take me with them everywhere they go. I didn't mind at all; I had my friends. But Akash hasn't admitted it, he is still guilty of what he did. I have told him not to feel guilty, eventually, he'll get rid of it I hope. Until then I'll be a third wheel. I am not complaining, I mean who wouldn't want to watch BL in real life? As a BL fan, I take this opportunity to click pictures and act like a fucking fan.

"So, what do you say? It is an emergency. They didn't get any other apartments. I am so sorry for asking this," she says her voice laced with helplessness.

"Hey don't be sorry. It's your apartment after all. Thanks for respecting my feelings and condition. Yes, they can stay here"

"Cariño, you are such an angel. Thank you so much. I'll send my nephew there today. Thank you again," she sounded so happy as if I said I would half my assets.

After the call, I continued to unpack my things. I made the right choice of choosing the bedroom with a bathroom attached, the couple won't mind having a shared bathroom. The wardrobe section is over, my clothes are neatly put away. The bookshelf is next. I take out my mangas and books and stack them on the bookshelf. From between the pages of a book an envelope falls. I bend and pick it up to inspect who it is from. Sadness and anger consume me immediately when I see who it is from, Mom. I throw the envelope on my desk, it hits the corner of the desk and falls again. If she thinks a letter is going to change my mind, she has misunderstood her daughter. Angry tears well up in my eyes, I pace the room to calm myself down. Thankfully, I was saved when the bell rang.